VICE, the global youth brand, will partner with Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) to launch a new channel in Australia. The American Media company will partner with SBS to bring Australians a new lifestyle and culture TV channel, featuring the best programming from VICELAND free-to-air on SBS in late 2016.
The new channel will be owned and operated by SBS, leveraging the distinctive creativity and experience of both VICE and SBS creative teams. It will be on the SBS 2 channel spectrum and online platforms, available to all Australians for free.
SBS2 Channel Manager John Beohm confirmed to DeciderTV that THE FEED and a raft of other popular SBS2 content would remain on the rebranded channel.
@MolksTVTalk It'll be a mix of the best of SBS2 and Viceland. Rebrand of the channel, further details TBA.
— John Beohm (@idents) June 23, 2016
When asked if SBS would continue to broadcast the same level of international news bulletins as currently provides during the day on SBS2, a spokesperson for the public broadcaster stated “our international news bulletins – WorldWatch are an essential part of our overall SBS offering and will remain as such.” However the spokesperson declined to confirm if WorldWatch continue to be broadcast or be moved to a web platform.
VICE is committed to telling the world’s most compelling stories in new and ever better ways, spanning all corners of culture and featuring a diverse range of talent, filmmakers and fresh new voices. Programming will focus on a distinct, immersive style of original lifestyle and culture content for young viewers and will feature Australian produced programs.
Michael Ebeid, SBS Managing Director and CEO, said: “Exploring diversity through culture is at the heart of SBS’s purpose and we are excited to be partnering with VICE to bring some of the best available content from across the world, never before seen in Australia, in documentary, journalism and inspiring entertainment, free to all Australians on SBS channels and platforms.”
Michael Slonim, VICE Australia Managing Director, said: “This is a unique partnership that will help catapult VICE further into the consciousness of young Australians. SBS shares our storytelling sensibilities and curiosity about the world, and we’re delighted to be partnering up to bring VICELAND to this market in the biggest way possible.”
Overseen by Oscar-winning film director Spike Jonze as Co-President, VICELAND launched to critical acclaim in the US in February 2016 and features hundreds of hours of original programming, including Gaycation (with Ellen Page and Ian Daniel), Huang’s World (with Eddie Huang), Noisey (with Zach Goldbaum), F*ck, That’s Delicious (with Action Bronson), Weediquette (with Krishna Andavolu), Balls Deep (with Thomas Morton) and many more.
Since launching in 2003, VICE Australia has been producing award-winning editorial and video programming for young Australian audiences across a network of digital channels spanning news, culture, music, fashion, tech and sports.
VICE Australia’s work has been recognised by the Australian Publish Awards (Winner – MultiChannel of the Year 2015), Mumbrella (Silver – Content Company of the Year, BE Fest 2015), B&T, The Walkley Awards, and more.
VICE has developed an outstanding global reputation for producing the gold standard of video content for young people, forging innovative distribution partnerships with A+E Networks, HBO, YouTube, Snapchat, Live Nation, 20th Century Fox, Verizon, Spotify and more to take its programming to young people everywhere. Further information about the channel will follow in coming months.
